Oconee planners approve rezoning amendment to allow car wash and oil-change near Epps Bridge

The Oconee County Planning Commission on Feb. 17 recommended approval of rezone P240036 to amend a prior rezoning for the Eppsbridge Center outparcel so the property may include an automotive oil-change and lubrication shop and a car wash.

The action matters because the change would add automotive service uses to an outparcel that was previously limited to retail, banking and restaurants; the commission’s favorable recommendation now goes to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for final consideration.

Planning staff presented the request as an amendment to prior case 6812 and described the proposed concept plan showing the location of the car wash and oil-change facility. Staff recommended conditional approval with the standard three conditions and additional use-specific restrictions, including a prohibition on outdoor storage or display of auto parts or tires.

Frank Bishop, representing Eppsbridge Center 2 LLC, told the commission the applicant agrees with staff’s recommendation. “We are here representing Eppsbridge Center 2, and we agree with the recommendation of the planning staff,” Bishop said.

One nearby resident, Dan McGee of Laughlin Circle, spoke in opposition. McGee urged the commission to consider the long-term character and economic mix of the county, arguing automotive services are “low-form economic development” that produce part-time, lower-paying jobs and that similar businesses already exist nearby. “Please think hard about this approval or not approval,” McGee said.

Commissioners questioned ownership and expected traffic impacts of the shared internal driveway that serves Hobby Lobby, Costco and the outparcel. Bishop said a traffic study had been completed and that the applicant had not planned physical changes to the shared driveway unless the county identified a need. Bishop said the proposed uses were added after conversations with Costco, which the applicant said favors services that attract customers to the center.

After discussion, a commissioner identified as Matt moved to approve P240036 with the conditions recommended by staff; the motion was seconded. The commission voted 5-4 to forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of Commissioners.

The commission’s recommendation is not final. The Board of Commissioners will consider the rezoning at a later meeting. The transcript did not record the date for the Board’s hearing.

Votes at a glance: Rezone P240036 — recommendation to approve 5-4; forwarded to Board of Commissioners for final action.